Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 434 The Addition of Sunset Kingdom (4)

Several more days passed, and it had been ten days since Xuan Yue left. He must have arrived in Sunset Kingdom by now. I wonder how things are proceeding there. Looking outside, the snowflakes are still drifting down. It’s January already, and in a little over half a month, it will be New Year’s Eve. I hope Xuan Yue can hurry back so that he can spend the new year in our own country.

Sighing, I wrapped myself in a cloak and headed toward Yangxin Hall. At this hour, my darlings are waiting for me. This is the fixed time each day for me to interact with them.

Braving the cold winds, Xuan Yue, after riding two steeds to death, finally arrived in Sunset Kingdom on the sixth day, only to find that the Crown Prince of Sunset Kingdom, Lou Qianyu, was not there to meet him. Instead, it was two days later that Lou Qianyu summoned Xuan Yue.

"Your servant, Xuan Yue, pays respects to Your Highness, Crown Prince. May you be in peace," said Xuan Yue, neither servile nor overbearing, as he cupped his hands and performed a bow as a greeting.

Lou Qianyu gave Xuan Yue a sidelong glance, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said with a faint smile, "Rise and be seated."

"Thank you, Your Highness," said Xuan Yue as he straightened up and took a seat to the left of the Crown Prince’s lower seat.

Lou Qianyu picked up the teacup before him, gently blew on the steam wafting out of the cup, and asked seemingly nonchalantly, "As an indispensable right-hand man to Emperor Jinghe, why have you come to our Sunset Kingdom?"

Xuan Yue’s brows lightly furrowed, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile. "Your servant has come to deliver a grand gift to you, Crown Prince!"

Lou Qianyu’s interest piqued, his eyebrows dancing. "Oh? A grand gift?"

Xuan Yue took out a secretive letter from his bosom and handed it to an eunuch at his side, who then passed it to Lou Qianyu.

Curious, Lou Qianyu opened the letter and after reading it, stroked his chin with one hand and chuckled bitterly, "Quite the grand gift indeed! I can’t make this decision on my own; I will need to consult my father, the emperor. I’ll give you a response in a couple of days." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Xuan Yue stood up, respectfully responding, "I hope Your Highness will consider carefully. Opportunities come but do not come again."

Lou Qianyu nodded, fully understanding the stakes—as indeed they were all too clear. It was precisely because he understood them so well that he feared Xueyan Country would become too powerful on its own.

After taking his leave from the Crown Prince, on his way back, Xuan Yue took advantage of a moment when no one was around to release a small cloud bird. The bird, which had been in poor spirits, became much more lively upon feeling the icy winds, shook its feathers, and then unfolded its small wings to soar into the sky.

As night fell, Xuan Yue opened the window. When the time of 7-9 PM arrived, the small cloud bird appeared punctually by the window, paused, and then flew onto the table inside the room.

Xuan Yue discreetly looked around to ensure no one was outside before closing the window. He then took out a piece of paper with a single-word message that he had prepared earlier in the morning and let the bird pick at it.

The bird shuffled through the pile of paper slips with its beak, and before long, it had strung the messages together.

Turning around to stand behind the bird, Xuan Yue read, "Request the emperor to dispatch troops."

"Let me think about it."

"Father, if we don’t dispatch troops now, I’m afraid Xueyan Country will truly become too powerful."

"Father, don’t hesitate. With Emperor Jinghe leading the troops himself, conquering Mingyi Country is only a matter of time."

"Father..."

"Very well, I will dispatch five hundred thousand troops. You must do everything in your power to take several cities."

"Yes, Father."

Realizing the gist, Xuan Yue understood that this was a conversation between Lou Qianyu and his father, and that Lou Qianyu had already convinced his father to dispatch troops. It seemed that the crisis at the Western Frontier would soon be averted, and the master could take a momentary breath.

The next day, Lou Qianyu summoned Xuan Yue again.

"The emperor has agreed to dispatch troops. We’re currently making secret preparations. You can return and inform Emperor Jinghe. I wish us a successful collaboration," said Lou Qianyu, his voice somewhat subdued but tinged with an almost imperceptible glee.

"Your servant will convey the message upon my return," Xuan Yue assured, bowing to Lou Qianyu.

Lou Qianyu let out a subtle chuckle. "I know you’re eager to return to your country. A fast horse has already been prepared for you; you can leave at any time."

"Xuan Yue thanks Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

Leaving the Crown Prince Residence, Xuan Yue returned to the post station, quickly gathered his belongings, secured the small cloud bird, and mounted the fast horse prepared by the Crown Prince. He then galloped on his way back to Xueyan Country.

While Xuan Yue was en route to Xueyan Country, Lou Qianyu set off for the border between Mingyi Country and Sunset Kingdom, where Mingyi Country’s forces were weakest.

Xuan Yue, with a heart full of excitement, returned to Xueyan Country. Without having time to change out of his clothing, he rushed into the Imperial Study.

"Mistress, your servant has returned."

Feng Xuxu was reviewing some recent memorials as New Year’s approached, and there were many matters to attend to. Hearing the long-missed voice, she looked up in surprise, her face breaking into a delighted smile. "You’re back so soon? Come, warm yourself by the fire."

Setting aside the memorial in her hand, the unexpected return of Xuan Yue before the New Year truly lifted her spirits.

Xuan Yue sat by the brazier, stretching out hands turned blue with cold, and began to excitedly chatter to Feng Xuxu, "Mistress, Xuan Yue has fulfilled his mission. Lou Qianyu has deployed five hundred thousand troops to attack Mingyi Country. They should be on their way by now."

"Good, you’ve worked hard. There are just a couple of days until the New Year’s. Now rest up, and after the holidays, come to see me," said Feng Xuxu, her anxious heart finally settling back into place, her brooding mood of many days suddenly clearing in this moment.

"Mistress, it was no trouble. I shall go and change my clothes and clean up before returning," said Xuan Yue, his face warming up, as he looked at his own apparel, its original color indiscernible now, and he laughed shyly.

Feng Xuxu nodded, "Go on then. There’s no need to come tonight; rest well."

"Yes, Mistress."